Seven ongoing ways we help in the Grape Street neighborhood of Watts:
1. Food bank
What is it?
-
Immediate and free access access to food set up like a local market provides a crucial safety net for neighborhood families.
How does it work?
-
Folks receive a bag donated by Ralph’s and fill the bag with the items they need and enjoy the most.
-
Volunteers maintain and oversee the day-to-day operations.
How can you help?
-
Donate money so we can buy the most needed items.
-
Buy food from our Amazon wishlist and send it directly to us.
-
Join or organize a food drive.
-
Volunteer at the food bank to organize or hand out food.
2. Weekly community meal
What is it?
-
A free, hot meal served to the Grape Street neighborhood creating a inclusive, supportive, and resilient community.
How does it work?
-
Right after Sunday service, Watts Powerhouse Food hosts a popular multigenerational gathering that provides a time to catch up with friends and family while youngsters play on the giant jungle gym.
-
The meal is created and served by several different volunteer groups that work one week per month.
How can you help?
-
Volunteer in the kitchen, help serve, or just clean up.
-
Volunteer to host your own weekend.
-
Sponsor the event ($300/wk) or donate what you can - no donation is too small to help!
3. Job counseling and training
What is it?
-
We help connect amazing local people to job counseling and training in their desired field.
How does it work?
-
For those in the Watts community looking for a job, we use our connections from our partners and volunteers to match them with a mentor that can help them in pursuit of their new career.
How can you help?
-
Volunteer your time to mentor another who is looking to start out in your career.
-
Share a business connection from your circle by contacting russ.powerhouse@gmail.com.
-
Donate to help with the costs of finding a job like Uber fees, phone plans, business clothes, coffee with mentor, etc.
4. College scholarships
What is it?
-
Assistance for young people with their college expenses.
-
Allows students to focus on their studies without excessive financial stress, increasing their likelihood of completing their degrees.
How does it work?
-
The gifted young adults of Watts make their needs known and we help them with education expenses.
How can you help?
-
Donate a gift card by contacting russ.powerhouse@gmail.com.
-
Donate directly to the education fund by clicking below.
-
Donate school supplies through our Amazon Wishlist.
5. Young adult group
What is it?
-
Weekly gathering of young adults to help uplift and support each other.
How does it work?
-
Every Sunday night, young adults get together to eat food, play games, and hang out.
-
“This is one of the most important financial contributions you can make. People need to know they are loved and important. The Sunday night group does just that.” -Group leader, Pastor Todd
How can you help?
-
Sponsor the event ($150/wk) or donate what you can - no donation is too small to help!
6. Campus maintenance
What is it?
-
Local groups and community members pitch in to maintain this cornerstone of the Watts community, which includes the Powerhouse Church and Watts Powerhouse Food.
How does it work?
-
We organize civic groups, churches, businesses, contractors, and individuals to engage in this community work and enact lasting change.
How can you help?
-
Volunteer to sign up for a work day or share personal and business connections.
-
Donate to help pay for materials.
-
Donate materials through our Amazon Wishlist.
7. Special events
What is it?
-
In addition to regularly scheduled events, we also have one-time drives to help the community with specific issues.
For example?
-
Christmas donations: donate to help the children of Watts feel loved with wonderful gifts.
-
Bicycle drive: in 2023, we made a commitment to buying every child of the Grape Street neighborhood a bike and helmet. Through community and business contributions, we did it!
-
Microwave drive: the easiest way to ensure that families have a hot meal is to provide them with a microwave. Many families do not have a stove or microwave, so this is key! We were able to deliver several truckloads of microwaves!
-
Sports equipment: sports are key to kids making friends, having fun, and it’s proven that kids who play sports are more likely to have a higher GPA. Since our playground is an asphalt surface, we always need replacements.
How can you help?
-
Donate to help keep all medical fees free for the Watts community.
-
Buy from our Amazon wishlist to send sports equipment directly to us.
Subscribe to our newsletter to be updated on special events.
